NFL Win Streak Against Sportsbooks Continues

Once again the will of the people of New Jersey who voted to have a sportsbook in that state in 2011 has been nullified by the judicial system. On Tuesday, August 9, the United States Court of Appeals in Philadelphia ruled that despite a majority of people saying yes to legalized sports gambling that the people’s will means nothing because New Jersey lawmakers never signed onto any form of sports gambling before President George Bush signed into law the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. The NFL has had three courts support their case in this battle. The National Football League was behind a lawsuit aimed at blocking sports gambling in New Jersey and that brings up a point about the hypocrisy of NFL owners and a sportsbook.

No NFL team is headquartered in an area that offers a sportsbook. But one owner, Oakland’s Mark Davis is actively pursuing a stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada which by all accounts is the epicenter of legalized sports gambling in the United States. The National Football League is desperately trying to make American football work in London, England where legalized sportsbooks are in storefronts. The National Football League had no problems with what appears to be legalized sports gambling or fantasy sports leagues and some of the league’s owners have partnered with DraftKings and FanDuel which are sold as games of skills and rely on professional athletes’ names and what they do in games. The NFL makes money off from fantasy leagues. All sports owners have no problems with casino marketing partners. The NFL and other sports league want it both ways although it seems the National Basketball Association owners might be open to legalized sports gambling on NBA contests. The NFL and the NCAA have fought and won battles to block sports books in Delaware and New Jersey. It seems when gambling suits sports owners and operators, it is a great way to enhance revenues.